Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 4th Match - Replay

Well, it's been two frustrating days not only for the players, but for all the cricket fans as well. And that's it from all of us here. This is Ajith signing out on behalf of Shashank,Sid V and Srivathsa. Cheers!

Breaking News: Sangakkara receives a level 2 charge for the incident involving Nathan McCullum in the 27th over. He's been having a miserable series so far, as far as his reputation is concerned. First, the no-ball incident, then this!

9:10 PM local time: The inevitable has arrived! Rain has forced the umpires to call off play. Both teams share two points each. SL will be in a must win situation against India when the two teams face each other on Sunday.

8:35 PM local time: May be these two teams are destined to share points, it has started to pour again. All the work done by the groundsmen goes in vain.

8:20 PM local time: The umpires are out inspecting the playing conditions, they are having a word or two with the captains. Good news is that from the last 40 minutes, there has been no rain.

7:30 PM local time: And suddenly, it has stopped raining. Will the groundsmen be able to set right the playing conditions before the cut-off time? Stay logged in to find out.

Meanwhile, time to reflect on Chamara Silva's career. The Sri Lankan team management has not given him a fair run, he has been in and out of the side quite often.

Period------------------------------Matches Played

26th Aug 1999 to 18th Oct 1999 ---------- 7

4th Nov 2001 -----------------------------------1

7th Jan 2002-11th July 2002 -------------- 2

28th Dec 2006- 24th Aug 2008 --------- 45

4th Jan 2010 ---------------------------------- 1

30th May 2010- 1st June 2010 ---------- 2

Well, the cut off time is 9:50 PM local time, If points are shared, NZ will top the table with 7 points while SL will be 2nd with 6 points. However, SL will be in a must win situation against India if they have to make it to the finals.

Update 6:45 PM: The rain has started to ease off a bit over the last ten minutes, but the groundsmen can't come out on the ground and start the work unless it stops completely.

Update 6:05 PM: Oops, it's gotten heavier now. Fingers crossed.

Update 6:00 PM: It is still raining in Dambulla, but it is fortunately not heavy. However, it is still very dark and the whole ground is still covered.

Oh dear! The rain is coming down and the players walk off the field. It is getting heavier and the ground has been covered by those huge plastic sheets.

43.4 McCullum to Jayawardene, 1 run, makes room and cuts it square of the wicket, the man at backward point got a hand on that, but a single to Jayawardene

43.3 McCullum to Jayawardene, 2 runs, Well bowled! Jayawardene comes down the track, is beaten in the flight, still goes through with the shot, mistimes it just over the man at mid wicket, comes back for a couple

43.2 McCullum to Jayawardene, FOUR!!, Even better shot! fired down the leg side, Jayawardene knelt down and swept it hard to backward square leg, the boundary is vacant and Jayawardene will get another boundary

43.1 McCullum to Jayawardene, FOUR!!, beautiful shot to get to his 55th ODIFIFTY!!, makes room, and goes inside out over cover, no one in the deep and it dribbled away to deep extra cover, lovely placement from Jayawardene as well

Nathan McCullum [5.0-0-29-0] is back into the attack

42.6 Oram to Silva, no run, bouncer to end! and it is a good one as well, flying past the attempted hook of Silva, flew to Hopkins

42.5 Oram to Jayawardene, 1 run, Jayawardene backs away to leg, Oram follows him, a full toss is sent to deep mid wicket, on the bounce to the man

42.4 Oram to Silva, 1 run, length delivery on off, Silva steers it down to short third man, easy single

42.3 Oram to Silva, no run, Silva missed out on that occasion, full delivery, sliding down the leg side, Silva had a swing, but it brushed the pad and went to Hopkins

42.2 Oram to Jayawardene, 1 run, Oram follows Jayawardene, Jayawardene eases it to long off

41.1 Williamson to Jayawardene, no run, flighted delivery on the off stump, Jayawardene taps it to the leg side

40.6 Oram to Silva, no run, good length delivery, bounces more after pitching outside off, Silva opens the face, looks to run it down to third man, misses it

40.5 Oram to Silva, no run, back of a length delivery on leg stump, bounces a bit more, Silva tries to work it to the leg side, hits the thigh guard and rolls to the off side

40.4 Oram to Silva, 2 runs, short of length delivery again, Silva tucks it to backward square leg, it goes into the gap, the fielder moves in quickly and has a shy at the stumps, Silva puts in the dive to make his crease and he makes it, great running from him

40.3 Oram to Silva, no run, three on the trot, Silva comes down the track, Oram bowls a back of a length delivery closer to the body, he defends it

40.2 Oram to Silva, FOUR!!, Silva comes down the track again, Oram bangs in a short delivery, he goes for the pull, gets the top edge, falls safely at fine leg, rolls to the boundary, brings up the fifty partnership, great stuff from SL

40.1 Oram to Silva, 2 runs, Silva shimmies down the track, Oram spots it and bowls a short, slower delivery on the stumps, Silva works it to deep square leg, aggressive running gives them a couple

39.6 Williamson to Jayawardene, no run, tossed up delivery on the stumps, Jayawardene chips it to short mid wicket, goes a bit uppishly, but falls in front of the fielder

39.5 Williamson to Silva, 1 run, flatter delivery on the stumps, Silva taps it to the on side, pinches a quick single

38.1 Oram to Jayawardene, no run, full, slower delivery just outside off, Jayawardene taps it to silly mid on

Jacob Oram [6.0-0-12-0] is back into the attack

Lots of dark clouds drifting in towards the stadium from the south west. That's where the rain comes from normally. Arun Lal says that the birds are looking restless. Some ominous signs!

Lots of discussion taking place between Ross Taylor and the umpires. Slight delay out there. Even Mills has joined in.

37.6 Williamson to Jayawardene, 1 run, tossed up on the middle and leg stump, Jayawardene tucks it to backward square leg

37.5 Williamson to Jayawardene, no run, tossed up on the off stump, Jayawardene taps it to the leg side

37.4 Williamson to Silva, byes, 1 run, tossed up delivery wide outside off, Silva goes for the sweep, misses it, the keeper fumbles and they take a bye

37.3 Williamson to Silva, no run, loopy delivery on the off stump, Silva converts it to into a low full toss, drives it back to the bowler

37.2 Williamson to Silva, no run, flighted delivery just outside off, Silva employs the reverse sweep, takes it on the full, sweeps it hard to short third man, but straight to the fielder

37.1 Williamson to Jayawardene, 1 run, tossed up delivery, Jayawardene goes back, chops it to short third man

36.6 McCullum to Silva, no run, flatter delivery outside off, Silva gets down on one knee again, sweeps it, but finds the fielder at short fine leg

36.5 McCullum to Silva, no run, tossed up delivery, Silva gets forward, defends it back to the bowler

36.4 McCullum to Silva, no run, slow, looped up delivery outside off, Silva goes back, makes room, looks to run it late down to third man, but misses it

36.3 McCullum to Silva, no run, tossed up delivery on the stumps, Silva taps it to the on side, but straight to the fielder

36.2 McCullum to Silva, SIX!!, Cracking shot from Silva, tossed up delivery outside off, Silva gets down on one knee, gets on top of the bounce and the spin, slog sweeps it over deep square leg, sails over the ropes for his first maximum, Silva is looking very good out there

35.6 Williamson to Jayawardene, 1 run, quicker delivery, Jayawardene stays on the crease, taps it to mid wicket, takes an easy single to retain the strike

35.5 Williamson to Silva, 1 run, looped up delivery on the stumps, Silva gets down, paddles it to fine leg

35.4 Williamson to Silva, no run, slow, tossed up delivery outside off, Silva taps it to the on side

35.3 Williamson to Silva, no run, flighted delivery, given a bit more air, Silva gets forward, looks for the cover drive, inside edges it to his pads, rolls to the ground

35.2 Williamson to Silva, no run, tossed up, given a bit more loop, Silva looks to paddle sweep it, but does not get hold of it completely, rolls to short fine leg

35.1 Williamson to Jayawardene, 1 run, tossed up outside off, Jayawardene nudges it to cover point

Kane Williamson [2.0-0-5-0] is back into the attack

34.6 Tuffey to Silva, no run, back of a length again just outside off, Silva opens the face again, taps it to the off side

34.5 Tuffey to Silva, no run, back of a length delivery outside off, Silva taps it to backward point with an open face, but finds the fielder, shouts NO for the single

34.4 Tuffey to Silva, FOUR!!, good length delivery wide outside off, Silva gets forward, drives it past backward point, races across the outfield, Elliott gives chase, but cannot stop it from reaching the ropes, great stuff this from Silva

34.3 Tuffey to Silva, no run, fullish delivery in the McGrath channel, Silva gets forward, taps it to the off side

34.2 Tuffey to Silva, no run, full delivery, swings into Silva, he gets forward, defends it to short mid wicket

34.1 Tuffey to Jayawardene, 1 run, full delivery, again strays on to the pads of Jayawardene, he flicks it to fine leg, but the fielder moves across quickly, fires in the throw and keeps it to just a single

Drinks are on the field now

33.6 Styris to Silva, no run, full, slower delivery on the stumps, Silva defends it back to the bowler

33.5 Styris to Silva, no run, good length on the stumps, Silva taps it to the on side

33.3 Styris to Silva, 1 run, good length delivery just outside off, Silva gets forward, taps it to cover point, lots of hesitation as Silva stops and starts, stops and starts again, the fielder has a shy at the stumps, had he hit the stumps, Silva was a goner, Jayawardene had also initially stuttered for the run, but no damage done, Styris was also not backing up

33.2 Styris to Silva, 2 runs, good length delivery on leg stump, Silva neatly tucks it to fine leg, takes an easy couple of runs, Styris erred in line there a bit

33.1 Styris to Silva, no run, full delivery just outside off, Silva goes on the backfoot, punches it to mid on, but finds the fielder

32.6 Tuffey to Silva, 1 run, short of length delivery on the stumps, Silva rocks back, pulls it to dep mid wicket, was not in control of that shot, but managed to get on top of the bounce

32.5 Tuffey to Silva, FOUR!!, classy from Silva, length delivery just outside off, Silva comes on the frontfoot, leans into the shot, caresses it past the fielder at mid off, goes to the wide long off boundary, very nicely done by Silva

32.4 Tuffey to Silva, no run, fullish delivery, comes back a hint on the off stump, Silva defends it back to the bowler

32.3 Tuffey to Jayawardene, 1 run, full, slower delivery outside off, Jayawardene waits for it, gets forward and taps it to cover, immediately shouts for a single and he gets it

32.2 Tuffey to Jayawardene, no run, back of a length outside off, Jayawardene taps it to the off side, thinks about a single, but Silva sends him back

32.1 Tuffey to Jayawardene, FOUR!!, easily done by Jayawardene, good length delivery, strays onto the pads of Jayawardene, he neatly tickles it past the keeper, who dives to his left and tries to stop it, but it goes past him and to fine leg for a boundary

31.6 Styris to Silva, no run, good length delivery floated on the middle and leg stump, Silva turns it to backward square leg, the fielder runs across and puts in a tumbling stop

31.5 Styris to Silva, no run, full on middle and off this time, Silva gets behind the line, defends it to the ground

31.4 Styris to Silva, no run, full on the middle and leg stump line, Silva taps it to short mid wicket

31.2 Styris to Silva, 1 run, full, slower delivery on the middle and leg stump, Silva goes back a little, works it to backward square leg

31.1 Styris to Silva, no run, good length delivery on the stumps, Silva defends it to the leg side

The groundstaff are leaving the boundary. This could be an indication that it may not rain.

30.6 Tuffey to Silva, 1 run, good length delivery on middle and off, Silva tucks it to backward square leg

30.5 Tuffey to Silva, no run, good length, slower delivery on the stumps, Silva taps it to the on side

30.4 Tuffey to Silva, FOUR!!, Brilliant way to get off the mark, overpitched delivery on the stumps, Silva gets forward, presents the full face of the bat, drives it past the bowler, races to long on, very stylish indeed from Chamara

30.3 Tuffey to Silva, no run, good ball from Tuffey, good length delivery, jags back a bit, keeps a bit low after pitching outside off, Silva goes for the cut, misses it

What an irony! Nathan McCullum who had a verbal war with Sanga, takes the catch. Sangakkara could be in trouble as the match referee had a look at the scene where he bumped into Nathan. Nathan was walking back to his bowling mark when Sanga ran into him. Both Sanga and Nathan complained to the umpire, who cooled things down.

29.6 Styris to Silva, no run, good length delivery on the stumps, Silva taps it to the leg side, ends a great over by the Kiwi veteran

Styris to Sangakkara, out Caught by McCullum at short cover!! Styris can do no wrong here! Good length, slower delivery on the stumps, Sangakkara walks across a little, looks to work it to the leg side, the ball stops on him a bit, ends up taking the leading edge, goes to Nathan McCullum who dives to his right and takes a good, low catch, the Kiwis have broken a crucial partnership here. Sangakkara c McCullum b Styris 40(59) [4s-4]

29.4 Styris to Sangakkara, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

29.3 Styris to Sangakkara, 2 runs, length delivery on the stumps, Sangakkara drills it down the ground, the fielder puts in the slide, keeps it down to only a couple

29.2 Styris to Jayawardene, 1 run, good length, slower delivery on the stumps, Jayawardene looks to work it to the leg side, the ball bounces a bit more after pitching, he mistimes it to point, takes a quick single

29.1 Styris to Jayawardene, no run, full delivery just outside off, Jayawardene makes room, runs it to short third man

Stats Buzz: This is the 21st fifty-plus partnership between Sangakkara and Jayawardene, they also have eight 100-run partnerships between them.

28.6 McCullum to Jayawardene, 1 run, flatter again on the off stump, Jayawardene taps it to long on

28.5 McCullum to Sangakkara, 1 run, flatter delivery on the middle and leg stump, Sangakkara works it to long on

28.4 McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, flighted delivery just outside the leg stump, Sangakkara looks for the sweep, misses it and just, just misses the leg stump, lucky escape for Sangakkara, they again exchange glares at each other, things have not cooled down here

28.3 McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, tossed up delivery on leg stump, Sangakkara looks to work it to the leg side, but straight to the fielder

28.2 McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, quick delivery on the stumps, Sangakkara gets forward, smothers it to the ground

28.1 McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, flatter delivery on the stumps, Sangakkara defends it

27.6 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, goodish length delivery on the off stump, Sangakkara gets behind the line nicely, works it to mid wicket, thinks about a couple, but they settle for a single

27.5 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, full delivery just outside off, Sangakkara drives it to backward point, but finds the fielder

27.4 Styris to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, full, slower delivery outside off, it lures Sanga into the drive, gets a thick outside edge past the keeper, races to third man for a streaky boundary

27.3 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, full delivery outside off, Sangakkara drives it to point

27.2 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, good length, slower delivery just outside off, Sangakkara walks across, looks to work it to the leg side, mistimes it back to the bowler

27.1 Styris to Jayawardene, 1 run, good length delivery on the stumps, Jayawardene tucks it to backward square leg

Scott Styris [6.0-0-22-1] is back into the attack

26.6 McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, flatter delivery outside off, Sangakkara defends it to the off side

Sanga clashes with Nathan McCullum and the bowler immediatey complains to the umpire, he is suggesting that Sanga cut his line, the umpire are telling both the players to keep calm

26.5 McCullum to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, flatter delivery on leg stump, Sangakkara uses the pace, tickles it past the keeper, races to fine leg for a boundary, and immediately we have some drama

26.4 McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, flatter delivery outside off, Sangakkara taps it to the off side, but straight to the fielder

26.3 McCullum to Sangakkara, no run, flighted delivery on the stumps, Sangakkara drives it back to the bowler, who throws it back at Sanga

26.1 McCullum to Jayawardene, SIX!!, that is a brilliant shot by Mahela, tossed up delivery outside off, Jayawardene gets forward, gets down slightly on one leg, whacks it wayyy over the ropes at wide long on, that sailed over the ropes, classic Jayawardene shot

25.6 Williamson to Sangakkara, 2 runs, flighted delivery on leg stump, Sangakkara gets down and sweeps it to fine leg, Oram runs across, puts in the slide and just keeps it down to a couple, good work from Big Oram

25.5 Williamson to Sangakkara, no run, tossed up delivery outside off, Sangakkara goes back, taps it to point

25.4 Williamson to Jayawardene, 1 run, flighted delivery on the stumps, Jayawardene drives it to the right of the bowler, who dives and fumbles, the ball rolls to long on

25.3 Williamson to Jayawardene, no run, slow, loopy delivery outside off, Jayawardene taps it to the off side

25.2 Williamson to Jayawardene, no run, looped up delivery, spins into Jayawardene sharply, he plays it late, cuts it to backward point, but straight to the fielder

25.1 Williamson to Sangakkara, 1 run, tossed up on the stumps, Sangakkara bunts it to long on

24.6 McCullum to Jayawardene, no run, fired into middle, tucked to mid wicket to end yet another tight over

24.5 McCullum to Jayawardene, no run, pushed through quicker on middle from wide of the crease, Jayawardene wanted to sweep but quickly changed his mind to play it back to the bowler

19.4 Styris to Jayawardene, FOUR!!, welcome boundary for SL! And it has taken the class of Jayawardene to give them that! It was overpitched and angling down leg, Jayawardene gets to the pitch of the ball and flicks it superbly between mid on and mid wicket, the man in the deep had no chance, it was timed so beautifully!

19.3 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, tucked away with his wrists towards the man running in from deep mid wicket

19.2 Styris to Jayawardene, 1 run, fetches a length delivery from outside off, whips it wide of mid wicket as they scamper across for a quick single

19.1 Styris to Jayawardene, no run, floated in fuller on the stumps, defended back to the bowler

18.6 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, gets forward and check drives a fuller delivery from round the wicket to cover

18.5 Oram to Jayawardene, 1 run, gets on top of the bounce and angles it down to third man for an ambled single

18.4 Oram to Jayawardene, no run, full and angled in from wide of the crease, Jayawardene converted that into a yorker, manages to dig that out

18.3 Oram to Jayawardene, no run, slow off cutter outside off, Jayawardene dabs it straight to point

18.2 Oram to Jayawardene, no run, mistimes a cut to point

18.1 Oram to Jayawardene, no run, superb delivery! Hits the deck and nips away off the seam from the off stump, Jayawardene flirts with danger, just misses the edge by a whisker!

17.6 Styris to Jayawardene, 1 run, slipping it into the pads, neatly done by Jayawardene, tickles it down towards fine leg, good work in the deep to keep it down to a single

17.5 Styris to Jayawardene, no run, cramped for room, squeezes it to point, refuses the single immediately

17.4 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, gets to the pitch of the ball and steers it straight to deep cover

17.3 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, punched off the backfoot to cover point, tumbling stop by Taylor, the Kiwis are building the pressure here, the scoring rate has dropped considerably

17.2 Styris to Jayawardene, 1 run, chips it over the infield to long on for an easy single, intentionally done

17.1 Styris to Jayawardene, no run, slower and fuller on the stumps, Jayawardene gets forward and blocks

16.6 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, gets behind the line of the ball and defends it to short cover

16.5 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, a bit of bounce from the good length area on middle, tapped to short cover

16.5 Oram to Sangakkara, wide, slow loopy bouncer outside off, it was way over the batsman's head as well, right call

16.4 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, mistimes a drive to mid on, Jayawardene wanted the single but Sangakkara said no after taking a few strides down the pitch

16.3 Oram to Jayawardene, 1 run, angled into the pads, tucked away past square leg for an easy single

16.2 Oram to Jayawardene, no run, hits the seam and moves away a touch, Jayawardene is squared up as he gets back into the crease to defend

16.1 Oram to Jayawardene, no run, tight line on middle, Jayawardene gets forward and defends it with soft hands to the off side

Stats Buzz: SL have played 31 ODIs in Dambulla. Both Sangakkara and Jayawardene have featured in every single ODI at this venue.

15.6 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, square driven straight to backward point, end of a successful over for the Kiwis

15.5 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, check drives it to cover point this time, Styris is maintaining a tight line and length

15.4 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, fuller length outside off, close to the body, Sangakkara plays it straight to cover

15.3 Styris to Jayawardene, 1 run, tucks it down to fine leg to get off the mark

15.2 Styris to Jayawardene, no run, slower delivery on middle again, the ball stops on Jayawardene as he looks to nudge it onto the on side

Mahela Jayawardene, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Drinks are on the field now

Styris to Dilshan, out Bowled!! Huge blow for SL! It was floated in gently, the ball pitches around the good length area on middle and keeps low, Dilshan looks to play across the line but is done in by the bounce and the ball deflects off the pad and onto the stumps. One got the feeling that Dilshan was looking edgy in the last 15 minutes, and the Kiwis have broken through at the right time. He misses out on a fifty against the Kiwis yet again! Dilshan b Styris 44(52) [4s-8]

15.1 Styris to Dilshan, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

14.6 Oram to Dilshan, 1 run, pitched up outside off, Dilshan gives it a thwack, doesn't get hold of it though, straight to sweeper cover

14.5 Oram to Dilshan, no run, doesn't get hold of the cut again, he was cramped for room once again, hit hard but straight to the fielder

14.4 Oram to Dilshan, no run, steered straight to point, the pressure is building on Dilshan

14.3 Oram to Dilshan, no run, slow off cutter once again, a lot fuller in length on off, pushed back to the bowler

14.2 Oram to Sangakkara, 1 run, opens the face of the bat and caresses it past cover point, to the man in the deep

Sanga is calling for a new bat

14.1 Oram to Dilshan, 1 run, dabs a length delivery wide of point for a quick single

13.6 Styris to Sangakkara, 2 runs, wristy flick of the wrist to get it into the gap at deep backward square leg, excellent running from the duo to comfortably get back for 2

13.5 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, no room to work with, Sangakkara bunts it straight to cover

13.4 Styris to Sangakkara, no run, back of a length delivery slanted across the batsman, played back to the bowler

13.3 Styris to Dilshan, 1 run, pushed down the ground to long on

13.2 Styris to Dilshan, no run, makes a bit of room and punches it straight to cover

13.1 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, gets to the pitch of the ball and strokes it to long off for an easy single

12.6 Oram to Dilshan, no run, spears it into the blockhole, Dilshan was hurried into the stroke, does well to jam his bat down at the last moment to squeeze that out

12.5 Oram to Dilshan, no run, good change of pace, rolls his fingers across the seam, fuller on middle, Dilshan defends it to the on side

12.4 Oram to Dilshan, no run, gets a bit of bounce from the deck, angled in from the good length area on middle, Dilshan tucks it straight to short mid wicket

12.3 Oram to Sangakkara, 1 run, driven to mid on using the full face of the bat for a quick single

12.2 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, back of a length outside off, steered to the off side once again, good tight bowling from the Kiwis

12.1 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, angled into middle from round the wicket, Sangakkara dabs it straight to point, refuses the single straightaway

11.6 Styris to Sangakkara, 1 run, tucked away off his pads to deep square leg to retain the strike

11.5 Styris to Dilshan, 1 run, fuller in length on middle and leg, driven down the ground to long on for an ambled single

11.4 Styris to Dilshan, no run, opens the blade at the last moment and steers it straight to backward point

11.3 Styris to Dilshan, no run, punched off the backfoot to Taylor who does well to stop it at short mid wicket

11.2 Styris to Dilshan, no run, struck on the pad as he looks to flick a fuller delivery angling into middle and leg

11.1 Styris to Dilshan, no run, floated in fuller on the stumps, pushed back to the bowler

Scott Styris, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

Stats Buzz: NZ is the only country against which Dilshan has not yet scored an ODI fifty.

10.6 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, slightly short this time, Sangakkara hops and tucks it to mid wicket, finds the fielder

10.5 Oram to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, Beauty! Leans on a length delivery, drives it elegantly between extra cover and mid off, the ball rolls down to the boundary, good follow-through off the bat, top shot!!

10.4 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, a slower one this time, just outside the line of the off stump, Sangakkara defends it to the off side

10.3 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, angled in from round the wicket, Sangakkara gets an inside edge onto the pads as he looks to play across, he wanted a single, Oram was quick to get to it

10.2 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, fullish in length this time, Sangakkara leans on it and taps it back towards the bowler

10.1 Oram to Sangakkara, no run, starts of with a back of a length delivery on the off stump, Sangakkara defends it to the off side

Jacob Oram, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

9.6 Tuffey to Sangakkara, 1 run, back of a length delivery on the hips, Sangakkara tucks it to backward square leg, retains the strike with that run

9.5 Tuffey to Sangakkara, FOUR!!, full and straight, Sangakkara drives it full and straight, past the bowler in a flash, top shot to get off the mark!!

Kumar Sangakkara, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Tuffey to Tharanga, out Caught by Mills!! Banged in short, right on middle and leg, Tharanga moves across, looks to hook but the ball hurried onto him, ends up gloving it to Mills at short fine, Tharanga knew that there was a man out there waiting for it, the trick has worked for Ross Taylor and Tuffey, a much needed break-through this!! Tharanga c Mills b Tuffey 12(23) [4s-2]

9.4 Tuffey to Tharanga, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

9.3 Tuffey to Dilshan, 1 run, short of length outside off, Dilshan steers it square of the wicket on the off side, just a single for Dilshan

9.2 Tuffey to Dilshan, no run, slower delivery again, short in length, cut straight to point

9.1 Tuffey to Dilshan, no run, on a length and angled in, Dilshan moves across, closes the face of the bat and guides it to Oram at short fine leg, he does well to stop that

8.5 Mills to Dilshan, no run, shapes away from outside off, Dilshan looks to deposit that one over mid off, misses!

8.4 Mills to Dilshan, 2 runs, a half-tracker outside off, Dilshan reaches out for it and cuts it to point, the ball bursts through Nathan's hands as he dives to his left to stop that, Tuffey at square third man stops it and keeps it down to two!

8.3 Mills to Dilshan, no run, short in length, Dilshan fails to pick that one, looks to slap it past cover, ends up toe-ending it to short extra cover

8.3 Mills to Dilshan, wide, slightly back of a length and sliding down the leg, Dilshan misses the big heave, wide signalled!!

8.2 Mills to Dilshan, no run, pitches it up this time, Dilshan gets forward and taps it towards short extra cover

8.1 Mills to Dilshan, no run, good length delivery on the off stump, Dilshan defends it to short cover

Ross Taylor is making a lot of changes to the field, no slips in place now. There are two close in fielders on the on side.

7.6 Tuffey to Tharanga, no run, Tuffey doing well out there, good change in pace again, Tharanga comes down the track, looks to drag it from outside off and get it over the infield on the on side, misses!

7.5 Tuffey to Tharanga, no run, on a length, right on middle and off, Tharanga defends it back to the bowler

7.4 Tuffey to Dilshan, 1 run, another slower one, Dilshan waits for it and steers it to short third man, Mills does well to pick it up and throw it back onto the stumps, the ball richochets as the keeper fails to get to the ball, results in a single!

7.3 Tuffey to Dilshan, no run, slower delivery outside off, Dilshan defends it to the off side, did well to pick the change in pace

7.2 Tuffey to Tharanga, 1 run, Tharanga makes room, Tuffey bowls one fuller just outside off, Tharanga stretches out for it and drives it wide of Nathan McCullum at extra cover, they scamper through for a single, the 50 is up

7.2 Tuffey to Tharanga, no ball, Tuffey oversteps, pitched outside leg, shapes across, Tharanga is rapped on the pads as he moves across

7.1 Tuffey to Tharanga, FOUR!!, they look like men possessed here, Tharanga shows us he is not far behind Dilshan, leans on one and lofts it over cover, one bounce over the ropes!

6.5 Mills to Dilshan, no run, on a length just outside off, Dilshan pushes it to Ross at short cover

6.4 Mills to Dilshan, no run, pitched up on the stumps, Dilshan seems to have settled down now, the tiger instincts have gone, eases this one to mid on

6.3 Mills to Dilshan, no run, on the hips, Dilshan closes the face of the bat and tucks it straight to short fine, did not get the placement right on this occasion

6.2 Mills to Dilshan, no run, on the stumps this time, Dilshan shows aggressive intent again, plays it back to the bowler this time

6.1 Mills to Dilshan, FOUR!!, This is his fifth in a row, on a length, slight width on offer, Dilshan stands tall and smacks that one past cover, a 'tracer bullet' is what Ravi Shastri would like to call it

5.6 Tuffey to Tharanga, no run, on a length, angling away from Tharanga, he is lured into the drive, finds the fielder at cover this time

5.5 Tuffey to Tharanga, no run, back of a length delivery angled across, Tharanga pushes it straight to extra cover

5.4 Tuffey to Tharanga, FOUR!!, Tharanga gets into the act now!! gets forward and punches one square of the wicket on the off side, between point and cover, has enough bat on it to cross the ropes!

5.3 Tuffey to Tharanga, 2 runs, shapes away again, Tharanga gets an outside edge, the ball goes past a diving Ross Taylor at slip, third man does well to cut it down to two, released the ball well before making contact with the ropes, top class fielding!

5.2 Tuffey to Tharanga, no run, on a length and angled across, Tharanga hangs his bat at it, beaten again, this bloke is struggling out in the middle, but the man at the other end is going great guns, will ease off some pressure from Tharanga for sure!

5.1 Tuffey to Tharanga, no run, Tharanga gets forward and defends it to mid off

4.6 Mills to Dilshan, FOUR!!, four in a row!! He's making Mills look like a street bowler, pitched up outside off, Dilshan gets forward and crunches it past cover, no attempt to run after that, that was slapped hard!!

4.5 Mills to Dilshan, FOUR!!, We are in for some enthralling cricket here, overpitched outside off, Dilshan leans and cracks it past point, rockets away to the boundary!!

4.4 Mills to Dilshan, FOUR!!, fine leg was brought in just before this ball was bowled, dug in short again, Dilshan shuffles across and pulls it behind square on the on side, beats the fielder in the infield, another boundary, frustrating for Mills!!

4.3 Mills to Dilshan, FOUR!!, Take this says Dilshan!! banged in short, Dilshan gets on top of it and goes for the full blooded pull past mid wicket, that reached the boundary in no time, no mercy shown out there!!

4.2 Mills to Dilshan, no run, good length delivery on the off stump, Dilshan waits for it and punches it straight to short cover

4.1 Mills to Dilshan, no run, fuller delivery angled in from wide of the crease, Dilshan gets forward and plays it to mid off with soft hands

3.6 Tuffey to Tharanga, no run, pitches it up this time, Tharanga is content to get forward and offer the full face of the bat at that one

3.5 Tuffey to Tharanga, no run, short of length delivery angled across after pitching outside leg, Tharanga goes on the backfoot and defends it solidly to the off side

3.4 Tuffey to Dilshan, 1 run, pitched up on the pads, Dilshan closes the face of the bat and tucks it to deep square leg, walks across for an ambled single

3.3 Tuffey to Dilshan, no run, slower delivery, more of a slow off-cutter, that stays low as it moves away, Dilshan slashes hard and misses!

3.3 Tuffey to Dilshan, wide, back of a length delivery down the leg, Dilshan makes no attempt to go after that, wide signalled!

3.2 Tuffey to Dilshan, FOUR!!, Oh, he's not holding back here, it was wide outside off, no feet movement, Dilshan throws his bat at it, slices it over point and the ball races away to the boundary!

3.1 Tuffey to Dilshan, FOUR!!, juicy half-volley outside off, Dilshan leans on it and drives it past extra cover, gently done, it was well placed, beautifully timed on that occasion!!

2.6 Mills to Tharanga, no run, that one kicked off the deck and moved away late, Tharanga is squared up, outside edges it towards the slip cordon as he looks to fend it awkwardly, luckily that did not carry!

2.5 Mills to Dilshan, 1 run, nipping back in from off, Dilshan whips it to deep square leg, straight to the fielder and they will have to settle for a single

2.4 Mills to Tharanga, 1 run, fullish in length and width on offer, Tharanga leans nicely, drives it wide of extra cover, some good bit of fielding out there, they won't get more than one run for that good looking shot!

2.3 Mills to Dilshan, 1 run, good length delivery coming back in, Dilshan pats it towards wide mid wicket and sets off for a quick single, takes on the fielder and does well to reach home safely!

2.2 Mills to Dilshan, FOUR!!, that's Dilshan for you! You can't keep him silent for long, picked up the short delivery early, slapped one past the bowler to the long on boundary, brutal!

2.1 Mills to Dilshan, no run, banged in short and angled in towards Dilshan, he ducks and lets it go past, it was close to being called a wide, Mills gets away!

Conditions still overcast, it will assist some movement off the deck.

1.6 Tuffey to Tharanga, no run, slightly short, gets some bounce as the ball moves across the left hander, he shoulders arms

1.5 Tuffey to Dilshan, 1 run, first runs for Dilshan and Sri Lanka, pitched up on the pads, Dilshan tucks it towards mid wicket for a single

1.4 Tuffey to Dilshan, no run, slightly back of a length delivery outside the off stump, not much pace again, Dilshan has a close look at it, lets it through to the keeper

1.3 Tuffey to Dilshan, no run, pitched up outside off, slight movement away from the right hander, he puts his leg forward, lifts his bat and lets it go to the keeper

1.1 Tuffey to Dilshan, no run, not much pace on this one, digs one short in length, Dilshan looks to cut, gets a bottom edge and the ball rolls towards the keeper

Daryl Tuffey, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

0.6 Mills to Tharanga, no run, back of a length delivery on the middle and leg, Tharanga goes on the backfoot, gets behind nicely and opens the face of the bat at the last moment, fends it towards gully, Mills starts off with a MAIDEN OVER!!

0.5 Mills to Tharanga, no run, fullish delivery on the off stump, Tharanga pats it towards mid off

0.4 Mills to Tharanga, no run, fuller in length, pitched outside off, not much movement on this occasion, Tharanga drives it straight to extra cover

0.3 Mills to Tharanga, no run, comes back in a wee bit, Tharanga comes on the frontfoot and defends it towards mid wicket

0.2 Mills to Tharanga, no run, pitched up on the off stump, Tharanga gets forward and offers the full face of the bat at it

0.1 Mills to Tharanga, no run, What a way to start!! pitches on a length just outside off, the ball seams back in and gets some nice bounce as Tharanga is beaten comprehensively, the keeper had some tough time collecting that as the ball continued to move away, well taken at the end, Jaffa!!

Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan are at the crease. Upul Tharanga is on strike. Kyle Mills will open the attack

Captains' comments:

Sangakkara: We had some talk about it, but we had already decided that we will bat first. So the toss has made no difference. As long as we bat well and put a big score, we won't have any problems.

Ross Taylor: We will bowl first, the clouds are around, we are uncertain about the weather, if the weather forecasters are right, the D/L method will work in our favour. No changes to our line up.

Both teams unchanged, they go with the same line up that was due to play yesterday.

New Zealand have won the toss and elected to field

Pitch report: The pitch was covered for almost 20 hours, there is a tinge of grass, the wicket is still very hard and there will be some good pace and bounce. It's all about getting the ball in the right areas. Win the toss bat first will be the key today feels Danny Morrison.

Weather update: At the moment, it's overcast, very humid out there at Dambulla. The forecast for the day is, rain and thunderstorms. The covers are off, but the locals are expecting quite a few stoppages in play due to rain.

Russel Arnold: Looking at the Sri Lankan batting line up, I would like to see a couple of changes in the batting order. I would like to see Mahela batting at No. 3 with the new rules of powerplay overs. It would be better if Sangakkara bats at No. 4 and hold the innings together. Chamara Silva is a good talent while Kapugedera has not impressed anybody of late. Sri Lanka has a strong bowling line up but they have to hunt in pairs.

Ten Sports' Charu Sharma tells us that the weather does not look too good, but it's far better than what we saw yesterday.

Rain played spoilsport yesterday resulting in a wash-out without a ball being bowled, and the two teams, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, will battle it out again today, the 20th of August, which happens to be the reserve day. A warm welcome to one and all. This is Ajith and I will take you through all the action during the day. I'll be joined by my colleagues Shashank, Sid V and Srivathsa in a short while. Do stay tuned for the all important weather update and the toss...

by Saurabh Somani

Dambulla has seen its first wash-out in history, but the teams that will take the field today remain the same, as do the pre-match equations and predictions. Moreover, Sri Lanka Cricket has announced that Randiv's one-match ban is still in effect since the previous ODI was washed out, which means his name will be absent from the team sheet for this match too.

In all the furore over Sehwag's denied century, Indian cricket fans might have forgotten that the tri-series in Sri Lanka is far from over, and the position on the points table has all the teams within a point of each other. Sri Lanka would do well to not forget it though, and they must leave the controversy over an important, but ultimately over-hyped, breach of the game's spirit behind them and focus on New Zealand.

The first three games of the series have seen fortunes see-saw wildly from one team to the other, with each one taking a hammering as well as handing one out. The common thread through each victory has been good bowling, and in a man-to-man contest, it would appear Sri Lanka have the upper hand in the bowling stakes over New Zealand.

However, New Zealand came into the tournament as underdogs, but ended up whipping India by 200 runs, so the on paper individual strengths are good only for the paper, and not so much on the field. Also both sides are coming off defeats in their most recent matches, which means both batting line-ups are coming off failures.

The last match between the two sides saw the hosts turn an easy stroll to victory into a mad dash in an effort to get the bonus point, but Sri Lanka will take confidence from that win, since they were in the driver's seat almost throughout the match, and it got close only when they committed hara-kiri and New Zealand tried to gamely catch up with a game that was running away from them.

New Zealand's bowling is not bad, but without Bond or Vettori, it needs a cushion of runs against which to work the opposition batsmen over. With this cushion against India, the bowlers were devastating; without it against Sri Lanka they were game triers. Thus the onus is on the New Zealand batsmen if they want to have a better chance of beating the Lankans. Martin Guptill is due for a good score, and Ross Taylor will have to lead from the front.

For Sri Lanka, they simply need their bowling to fire. In Randiv's absence, Sri Lanka might go in with both Herath and Mendis, while Kulasekara and Dilhara Fernando will fight it out to be Lasith Malinga's new ball partners. Alternately, Sri Lanka could go in with one spinner and pick all three pacers.

The 'win-toss-bat-first-win-match' myth has been busted effectively with both Sri Lanka and India successfully chasing targets, but as MS Dhoni pointed out after his side's win, even though matches have been won by chasing sides, the captain who wins the toss will have little hesitation in batting first. What both Sangakkara and Ross Taylor will hope for is that their batsmen put up a better show than they have done in their respective last matches.